Brad Waller is an entrepreneur from central Florida who managed nationwide sales at Cox Digital Advertising’s Ocala office. Forging strong client relationships, he guided targeted marketing campaigns that delivered sustained revenue growth. Brad Waller provided new hires with training and support, and helped them develop successful marketing campaign strategies.
Mr. Waller previously had a role as client advisor with BMW of Ocala and worked to deliver seamless experiences to high-end clientele when purchasing luxury vehicles. Consistently attaining top sales across a five-year period, he earned the prestigious bronze Profiles in Achievement Award.
Mr. Waller is a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, with a degree in human relations and mass communications. An avid fisherman, he sails a Boston Whaler vessel and enjoys exploring coastal regions along the Gulf Coast, as well as inshore saltwater locations. He enjoys travel and also has a passion for history, paleontology, and archaeology that was encouraged by his father.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day begins with waking early (I am a morning person). I typically eat a breakfast of steel-cut oats and then spend time reading my Bible and in prayer to prepare for the day. At work, I like to prioritize my tasks and appointments first thing, so that I can be most effective and productive. I have found that organization is key to maximum productivity. After work, I typically go on a bike ride or walk, followed by stretches and sets of pushups. In the evening, I like to catch up on the news, relax, and get to bed at a reasonable time. I believe sleep is very important to physical health, along with a healthy diet and exercise. I know it sounds very vanilla and somewhat bland, but it works for me and keeps my mental health in check.
How do you bring ideas to life?
In spite of my seemingly mundane routine, I am a visionary person. As a matter of fact, the routine provides a sturdy framework that can withstand risk-taking and thinking outside the box. When I have an idea, I like to research the possibilities and recognize the challenges. It is also my practice to seek wise counsel and advice from trusted friends. Some of the best advice I ever received was “never make a decision at night.” In other words, always sleep on it before committing to an idea. To that end, taking the time to consider an idea typically works to give the idea the best chance of being successful. Once the idea is settled upon, I work hard to implement the idea utilizing the resources believed to enhance success. I have been very blessed to have success in many ideas following this process.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Although I believe the digital revolution of information is a net negative in general, I am encouraged by the way independent news reporting/blogs and social media seem to have stimulated more critical thinking. In the past, many people followed mainstream news and information, giving little thought to determining the truth. I have a passion for history and learning. I like having in-depth conversations with people about things that matter. Questions that we all seek answers to. Groupthink (only following what we are told or doing what the crowd is doing) squashes meaningful conversation. Independent, critical thought may spur one another to seek truth and understanding and can lead to vital friendships and relationships. In a world plagued with a loneliness pandemic, this trend toward dialogue and healthy doubts about following the crowd seems exciting to me.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I believe my daily routine helps me remain productive and focused.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Ask questions and seek to understand the answers you don’t know. Don’t be afraid of looking stupid; if you don’t ask the question, you will be.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that God created the universe and everything in it in a span of six days. He is the One True God and Jesus Christ, His only Son by the power of His Holy Spirit guides and sustains all things to His desired end. Many people would argue the earth is millions and billions of years old and would scoff at my belief. But 99.9 percent of those scoffers did not grow up, as I did, with a father who was a well renowned archaeologist and paleontologist. I grew up going to dig sites and dive sites where we uncovered all manner of prehistoric artifacts and animals. I was blessed to have been around great minds from the Smithsonian and other consequential museums who had no answers to origins or evidence that clearly contradicted their religion of evolution. When I first began reading the Bible, thanks in large part to my desire to know the truth, the evidence I dug up, brought up, and uncovered fit the Biblical model and not the evolutionary one. I am thankful for my journey through all this because it has given me a first-hand, well-informed position, albeit the minority one.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Take time to be thankful.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
In those moments, I like to go on a walk or bike ride to “come up for air.” The time outdoors and the physical activity has a way of refocusing my thoughts and allows me to re-align my priorities.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
If there was one strategy that has helped me grow my business or advance in my career, it would be practice of surrounding myself with wise advisors and mentors. Learning from the experiences of others and gleaning from their advice has enabled me to avoid common pitfalls and make better choices.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One failure in my career that haunts me to this day is not allowing myself to fail. I felt that I had to be perfect at all times. People came to me for guidance and counsel. Because of my role, I did not think I had the freedom to fail. There were several times in my career when I should have walked away and counted my losses; instead, I persisted. I was too proud to admit I was beyond my ability and limits. Persistence is a good thing, but if it is persistence in something that only drags you down, then it is not a good thing.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
The Reminders app on my iPhone. I use it like sticky notes all over my day. As soon as I recognize a task, I put it down in the app, so as not to forget or lose it. That allows me to transfer it to paper (yes, I still use a paper planner as well) to follow up. In addition, I find that noting times to leave for appointments keeps me prompt and professional.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I have so many favorites. I have to mention two and not just one. Two books that have been most impactful to me are Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl and Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. Both books recount men persevering through impossible circumstances – with great risks. In Kon-Tiki, Thor Heyerdahl builds a raft reminiscent of an ancient boat built by early South Americans to sail to Polynesia. He did so following his belief that Polynesia was settled by South Americans and not Asians. He was nearly alone in his belief. But his conviction was so great and his trust in their ancient craftsmanship such that he set out on a 43,00-nautical-mile journey across the Pacific Ocean even though he could not swim! Robinson Crusoe was shipwrecked on a deserted Island yet made the best of his seemingly horrible circumstance, turning it into a place he loved. I derived much inspiration by both of these men and their capacity to adapt, as well as their resolve to survive and thrive, which was grounded in their belief.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I love PBS’ All Creatures Great and Small series. I love it because it is one of the few television shows (or movies) that makes you happy in each and every episode. The world is very dark today, and I appreciate entertainment that provides an escape from the tempestuous shadows of life in this fallen world and seemingly lightens the load of everyday life.
Key learnings
- Organization, exercise, and reminder applications help maintain productivity and focus.
- Allow yourself to fail and don’t be too proud to ask questions or admit when something is beyond your ability.
- Surrounding yourself with wise advisors and mentors is critical for bringing ideas to life, making informed decisions, and advancing professionally.